Display fixtures



April 14, 1970 P. SEME ETALK 3,

DI SPLAY FIXTURES Filed Oct. 9. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvemors JOSEPH P.SEME JOSEPH A. SMETANKO y VQ/ W A fforney April 14, 19 70 SEME ET ALDISPLAY FIXTURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9. 1967 FIG. ll

FIG. l3

4 FIG 9 g g g g 5 Inventors JOSEPH P. SEME JOSEPH SMETANKO y (WyAttorney United States Patent US. Cl. 211-131 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A fixture for displaying articles, such as letters, housenumbers, and signs, although it may be utilized to display othermerchandise, such as rings, trinkets, pins, Christmas cards or bulbs, orother ornaments which fixture may be suspended from a Peg .Board orsupported on a table or counter. The fixture includes an upwardlyextending rod or bar and a horizontal bar secured as by welding thereto.The horizontal rod or bar in turn has horizontal portions at each endintegral therewith or welded thereto which horizontal portions terminatein vertical end portions or which have vertical portions secured to eachend. The fixture may be turned to insert the vertical portions formedintegral with or secured to the horizontal rod or bar through openingsin the Peg Board. The fixture is then released at which time thehorizontal portions rest on the Peg Board.

The fixture may be supported on a counter or table and includes inaddition to the rear rod or bar, a pair of spaced rods having cushionedshoes resting on a counter or table and an upwardly extending front baror rod on which a plurality of trays may be supported which trays arespaced from and are independently rotatable relative to each other. Theinner end portion of fingers are welded to the lower portion of eachtray and have upwardly turned outer end portions for supporting housenumbers, letters and signs although the fingers may be utilized forsupporting other articles, such as trinkets, rings, or ornaments. Cards,pins, or ornaments may also be supported on each tray.

Our invention relates to a fixture for displaying house numbers,letters, and signs, although it may be utilized for displaying jewelry,trinkets, and ornaments, and more particularly to a fixture of this typethat may be suspended from a Peg Board or supported on a counter ortable.

In retail stores dealing in house numbers, letters, and signs, and othermerchandise, such as rings, trinkets and particularly ornaments, such aspins, Christmas tree bulbs, or cards, which sell at a comparatively lowprice, it is desirable to provide a compact fixture for displaying alarge number of such articles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fixturefor displaying house numbers, letters and signs, although it may beutilized for displaying other merchandise, such as jewelry, rings,trinkets, pins and ornaments of various types which fixture may besuspended from a Peg Board or supported on a counter or table.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved fixtureincluding a plurality of trays, each of which is independently rotatableso that house numbers, letters, signs or other merchandise, such asornaments or trinkets resting or supported thereon may be conven ientlydisplayed to prospective customers.

A further object of our invention is to provide a display fixture,including a plurality of spaced trays forming a support for articles,such as house numbers, letters, or other merchandise, such as rings,trinkets, pins, bulbs, and like ornaments, in which each tray isprovided with a plurality of spaced fingers, each of which is shaped to3,506,137 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 supportan individual item, such as aletter or number, although they may be utilized for displaying othermerchandise, such as a ring, trinket, or other ornament having anopening through which one of the fingers may be inserted.

Our invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one form of our improved fixture;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on a plane passing through theline 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view and FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of one ofthe trays;

FIG. 5 is a plan view and FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of anothertray;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the assembled fixture shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another form of our invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on a plane passing through theline 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view and FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of one ofthe trays shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a plan view and FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of theother tray shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the fixture shown in FIG. 8 with theparts assembled in place.

One of our improved fixtures is shown in FIGS. 1 t0 7 which may besuspended from a Peg Board 1 or supported on a counter or table 2. Asillustrated in the drawings, the fixture comprises a U-shaped rod or barincluding a vertical portion 3, a forwardly extending upper arm 4 whichterminates in a flat portion 5, and a forwardly extending lower arm 6which terminates in a fiat portion 7.

For supporting the fixture upon Peg Board 1 which has a plurality ofapertures therein, a bar 8 extends horizontally along and is securedcentrally to the upper end portion of the vertical bar 3. The bar 8 isprovided with angularly-shaped members 9 and 10 adjacent each endportion, each of which consists of a downwardly extending arm 11 securedas by welding to the face of bar 8 and a portion 12 which extendshorizontally above bar 8 and which terminates in a substantiallyvertical portion 13. When suspending the fixture from the Peg Board, theU-shaped rod is moved to a position in which the end portions 13 of theangularly-shaped members extend at an angle of approximately to thePegBoard at which time they may be inserted in aligned openings therein.The U-shaped 'bar is then released at which time it assumes the positionshown in FIG. 2 in which it is supported by the horizontal arms of theangularly-shaped members. The Peg Board may be secured in spacedrelation to the wall of the store in any convenient manner, such as bynails or screws forced through the board and suitable spacers, notshown.

To enable the fixture to be supported on a counter or table, a rod 14 issecured centrally thereof by suitable means, such as welding, to the bar3 and has downwardly turned end portions provided with cushion shoes 15which rest on the table or counter and the central portion of a rod iswelded or otherwise secured to the front portion of the bar 6 which isprovided with arms 16 and 17 extending outwardly at an angle ofapproximately 90 to each other and each of which is turned downwardlyand is provided with a shoe 18 formed of a cushioning material whichrests upon the table or counter.

In accordance with our invention, means are provided for supporting aplurality of trays, each of which may be rotated independently of eachother upon the front rod of the fixture. For this purpose, the flatportions 5 and 7 of arms 4 and 6 have apertures therein to receive a rod19, the lower portion of which may be provided with a cushioning shoewhich is supported on the counter or table, and means associated withthe rod 19 and the lower flat portion 7 of bar 6 are provided forsupporting a plurality of trays in spaced relation. While the number oftrays supported by each fixture may vary and we do not desire to belimited in this respect, as shown in FIG. 1, four trays 20, 21, 22 and23 are provided, each of which has a central opening therein to receivethe rod 19.

As shown in FIG. 1, rod 19 extends through apertures in the fiat portion7 of the lower arm and the flat portion of the upper arm 16 and is heldin place by set screws 24 and 25. When set screws 24 and 25 arereleased, however, rod 19 may be lowered to a position in which itsupper end is in alignment with the upper surface of the flat portion 7of bar 6 at which time tray 23 may be spaced upwardly from the flatportion of rod 6. For this purpose a spacer 26 is provided having upperand lower flanges 27 and 28, the upper flange 27 having an aperturetherein in alignment with the central opening in tray 23 which flangeextends beyond its opening to provide a brace for tray 23 to which itmay be secured as by welding. The lower flange 28 also has an openingtherein which is in alignment with the aperture in the flat portion 7 ofbar 6. In assembling the device, rod 19 moved upwardly through theapertures in flanges 28 and 27 and the central opening in tray 23.

In a like manner, a tray 22 is provided with a spacer 29 including anupper flange 30 havin an opening therein which is in alignment with theopening in tray 22 and which extends beyond its opening and is securedas by welding to and provides a brace for tray 22. Spacer 29 also has alower flange 31 having an opening therein which is arranged in alignmentwith the openings trays 22 and 23. After passing through flanges 28 and27 and tray 23, rod 19 is moved upwardly through the openings in flanges31 and 30 and tray 22.

For spacing tray 21 from tray 22, a spacer 32 is provided having anupper flange 33 with an opening therein which is in alignment with thecentral opening in tray 21 and which flange extends beyond its openingand is secured as by welding to and serves to support tray 21. Thespacer 32 is also provided with a lower flange 34 having an openingtherein which may be arranged over tray 22 in alignment with the openingtherein to receive rod 19 as rod 19 is moved upwardly through theopenings in flanges 34 and 33 and tray 21.

Similar means is provided for spacing tray 20 from tray 21. As shown, aspacer 35 is provided having an upper flange 36 secured as by welding tothe lower face of tray 20. As shown, flange 36 has an opening arrangedin alignment with the opening in tray 20 and a portion extending beyondits opening for supporting tray 20 which is secured thereto by welding.The spacer 35 also has lower flange 37 having an opening therein whichmay be arranged in alignment with the opening in tray 21. The rod 19 maytherefore be moved upwardly through the apertures in flanges 37 and 36and the central opening in tray 20 at which time it may be held in placeby the upper and lower set screws 24 and 25.

The trays may be circular in shape or as shown in FIG. 5, provided witha plurality of short sides. One end of each of a plurality of spacedfingers 38 is also secured as by welding to the underside of each traywhich fingers terminate in upwardly turned portions upon each of which ahouse number, a letter, or other merchandise, such as a trinket, a pin,ring, or a Christmas tree ornament may be mounted. Because the upperflange of each spacer is secured to the lower face of one of the trays,it apparent that each tray may be rotated relative to the other traysfor conveniently displaying all the letters and house numbers or othermerchandise, such as trinkets or ornaments to prospective customers. Forinstance, tray 21 may be held in place while tray 26 is rotated. In theconstruction shown, it will be apparent that cards, such as Christmes,Easter, or other cards, may be deposited on the trays and house numbers,letters and other merchandise, such as rings and pins may be hung on thefingers. Additional fingers 39 which are comparatively long may also besecured to bar 8. When the trays are utilized for supporting housenumbers and letters, the trays carrying the larger number of fingers maybe utilized for the letters and the trays having the smaller number offingers may be utilized for supporting the numbers and a sign withletters and numerals in place may be interposed between the fingers 39.

Another form of our fixture is shown in FIGS. 8 to 14 which is somewhatsimilar to the fixture shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 in that the fixture may besuspended "from a Peg Board or supported upon a counter or table. Forsuspending the fixture from a Peg Board, the fixture includes a verticalrod or bar 40 to the upper portion of which is secured as by welding ahorizontal rod or bar 41, the opposite end portions of which are turnedinwardly toward the Peg Board as indicated by the numeral 42 and extendthrough spaced apertures therein. The inwardly turned end portions thenextend upwardly as indicated by the numeral 43. In suspending thefixture from the Peg Board, it may be turned to a position in which theupwardly extending end portions 43 of rod 41 are perpendicular to thePeg Board. The fixture is then turned to its normal vertical position atwhich time the horizontal portions 42 of rod 41 rest on the Peg Board atthe openings therein. For supporting the device on a counter or table, ahorizontally extending rod 44 is provided which is secured centrallythereof to the lower portion of bar 40 and is turned downwardly at itsopposite ends to provide legs 45 which are provided with a cushionedshoe 46 on each leg.

To provide a base for supporting a plurality of trays, each having acentral aperture therein, rod 40 is turned forwardly at a short distancebelow rod 44 as indicated by the numeral 47 and is supported at its freeend by the central portion of a rod 48 having downwardly turned legs 49which as shown are provided with cushioned shoes 50.

The number of trays may of course be varied depending upon the size ofthe fixture. As shown, two trays 51 and 52 are provided and meansassociated with the longitudinal rod 47 and a vertical rod 53 areprovided for supporting the trays and spacing the lower tray from rod 47and the trays from each other. For this purpose, a lower spacer 54 has aflange 55 at its upper portion which is secured as by welding to thetray 52 and is provided with an aperture which is arranged in alignmentwith the aperture in the tray. Flange 55 extends beyond the aperture toform a firm support for tray 52. The spacer 54 also has a flange 56 atits lower portion which is in alignment with the openings in tray 52 andflange 55. In assembling tray 52 on the rod 53, the tray 52 and thespacer 54 are lowered with their apertures in alignment with rod 53 tomove the flange 56 downwardly into engagement with rod 47 at which timerod 53 extends through the apertures in flanges 56 and 55 and the lowertray 52.

To space tray 51 from tray 52, a spacer 57 is provided having an upperapertnred flange 58 which aperture is in alignment with the aperture intray 51. As shown, flange 54 extends outwardly beyond its aperture andis secured as by welding to the underside of tray '51 to provide a firmsupport for the tray. Spacer 5"! is also provided with a lower flange 59having an aperture therein which is in alignment with the apertures inflange 58 and tray 51.

The trays may be round or they may be provided with a plurality ofsides. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, they are in the form of polygonshaving five sides and in addition to the surface of each tray, fingersare provided for supporting house numbers, letters, and othermerchandise, such as rings, trinkets or ornaments. The inner end of eachof the fingers is secured as by welding to the lower surface of eachtray and the outer end of each of which is turned upwardly to provide asupport for letters, numbers, or other merchandise. As shown in thedrawings, each tray may be rotated independently of the other tray toconveniently present each article on the tray or suspended therefrom toprospective customers. When the fixture rests upon a table or counter,it will of course be understood that the rod which is secured to therear vertical bar and the projections at each end portion thereof, bothin the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIGS. 8 to 14 may be utilizedto support ornaments, beads, or religious articles, such as rosaries.

What we claim is:

1. A display fixture including a front bar, means for supporting saidbar in a substantially vertical position, a plurality of trays rotatablymounted on said bar, and means associated with said bar for supportingsaid trays in spaced relation to each other, each of which supportingmeans is slidable on said bar and each of which has a flanged upper endportion secured to one of the respective trays and a lower portionrotatable on said bar.

2. A display fixture as defined in claim 1 in which each of said trayshas an outer peripheral portion and a flat lower face portion, and aplurality of angularly-shaped fingers associated with each tray, each ofwhich fingers has its lower end portion secured to the lower faceportion of one of the respective trays and each of which fingers firstextends radially outwardly and then upwardly beyond the peripheralportion of the tray to which it is secured to form a support forarticles placed thereon or attached thereto.

3. A display fixture as defined in claim 1 including an upwardlyextending rear bar, a stationary board having spaced aligned aperturestherein, a longitudinally extending bar secured to said rear bar andangularly-shaped means for supporting said display fixture secured tothe opposite end portions of the horizontally extending bar, each ofsaid angularly-shaped supporting means having a longitudinal portionextending through one of a pair of spaced aligned apertures in saidboard and each having a portion extending upwardly along the rear wallof said board with its horizontal portion resting upon the board at theaperture through which it extends.

4. A display fixture as specified in claim 3 in which forwardlyextending fingers are secured to the opposite end portions of saidhorizontally extending bar for supporting a sign.

'5. A display fixture as defined in claim 1 in which the means forsupporting the front bar includes a rear bar, a lower horizontal barextending forwardly from the rear bar to which the front bar isconnected, and means for supporting said fixture in a position fordisplaying articles supported thereon including a rod secured to therear bar and having downwardly extending legs and a second rod securedto the lower horizontal rod adjacent its front end portion and havingdownwardly extending legs.

6. A display fixture as defined in claim 1 in which the upper flange ofeach of said spacing means is comparatively long and is secured to thelower face of a tray to form a support therefor.

7. A display fixture as defined in claim 1 in which each of the trayshas a central opening therein and each of the tray supporting means hasupper and lower flanges having aligned openings therein which openingsare also in alignment with the opening in each of said trays and inwhich the front bar extends through the central opening in each of saidtrays and through the aligned openings in each of the flanges of each ofsaid tray supporting means.

'8. A display fixture as defined in claim 1 in which the means forsupporting the front bar includes a rear bar and a lower horizontal barextending therefrom and in which each of the trays has a central openingtherein and each flange of each of the tray supporting means has anopening therein which is in alignment with the opening in the otherflanges and the openings in each of the trays, and in which the frontbar extends through the central opening in each of the trays and thealigned openings in the flanges of the tray supporting means and inwhich the upper flange of each tray supporting means is connected to thebottom face portion of a tray and the lower flange of one of the traysupporting means rests upon the lower horizontal bar and is rotatablearound the front bar and the lower flange of each of the other spacingmeans rests upon one of the respective trays and is rotatable around thefront bar.

9. A display fixture as defined in claim 8 including a horizontal barextending from the upper portion of the rear bar and terminating in aflat portion having an opening therein and in which the lower horizontalbar terminates in a flat portion having an opening therein, said frontbar extending through the aligned openings in the flanges of the traysupporting means and the central openings in the trays, and the openingsin the flat portions of the upper and lower horizontal bars, andreleasable means for securing the front bar to the upper and lowerhorizontal bars.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 982,216 1/1911 Madden et al.211-131 X 1,570,651 1/ 1926 Topping 21113l X 3,266,634 8/1966 Tintary211-131 FOREIGN PATENTS 76,905 1/ 1955 Netherlands.

NILE C. BYERS, JR., Primary Examiner

